Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Frederick, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a potent means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can offer an approximately three-month detection window for both alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil), closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to have 150mg of the specimen. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not an option, a similar quantity of body hair may be collected. References to head hair pertain to scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four fundamental steps in processing a drug test result in a laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial entry of a sample into the laboratory's system. This encompasses ensuring the sample was securely sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for illicit substances. While cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be valid in legal contexts. Any samples showing presumptive positives during Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is collected from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to perform.

Verification of any positive screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use history up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Resistant to manipulation: Hair drug tests are challenging to circumvent, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Shows usage patterns: Provides insight into drug usage over time rather than merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Not suitable for recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While frequently referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Frederick, CO

• Superior Detection Accuracy: Hair testing presents a significant advantage over urine tests by offering greater accuracy and a longer detection window. This method ensures that drug use over a more extended period is identified, making it highly reliable.
• Consistency and Reliability: Unlike urine tests, which can be influenced by various factors, hair testing remains steadfast in its results, providing confidence to employers and decision-makers.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Frederick, CO

• The appeal of hair follicle testing lies in its ability to trace drug use over an extensive period, up to 90 days. This offers a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use history, allowing employers in Frederick to make informed decisions about candidates or current employees.
• Employers seeking a thorough view of an applicant's history find the extended window invaluable.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Frederick, CO

• Hair follicle tests are inherently resistant to tampering, which greatly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. This ensures that the results are both reliable and indisputable, giving employers confidence in the test outcomes.
• This robust method supports the integrity of workplace drug testing programs.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Frederick, CO

• With a wide network of testing centers throughout the country, including accessible options in Frederick, CO, getting tested is straightforward and convenient. The availability of nearby locations ensures that testing can be done efficiently without hassle.
• Whether local or nationwide, the integration of testing centers supports expedited and stress-free services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Frederick, CO

• The process for ordering and conducting hair follicle drug tests is straightforward and private, addressing concerns related to confidentiality and user-friendliness. This ensures that individuals can participate in testing without fear of privacy breaches or complicated procedures.
• Ease of use is paired with the assurance of discreet handling and result delivery.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Frederick, CO

• Competitive pricing structures make hair follicle testing an economically viable option for organizations of varying sizes. Alongside affordability, the swift turnaround in result delivery enhances the overall value, providing both financial and operational benefits.
• Companies stand to gain value through efficient service that meets budgetary and time constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Frederick, CO, the rapid and dependable outcomes of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched. The swift processing ensures that results are both timely and precise, which is crucial for employers. Their exceptional accuracy in identifying substance use has made hair follicle testing a preferred choice. By providing fast results, these tests enable swift decision-making and ensure that time-sensitive needs are met effectively, leaving no room for uncertainty.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Frederick, CO

• Utilizing hair follicle testing aligns with creating a drug-free work environment, ensuring adherence to company policies and reducing potential legal liabilities. Employers gain peace of mind knowing that they are compliant with regulations while maintaining workplace safety.
• This support in policy enforcement enhances organizational confidence and employee trust.

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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